ArticlePloS one2014
Swab sample transfer for point-of-care diagnostics: characterization of swab types and manual agitation methods.
Article in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Detection of Bacterial Bovine Mastitis: A Systematic Review.Veterinary medicine and science · 2026Pooled it
- Simpler and faster Covid-19 testing: Strategies to streamline SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays.EBioMedicine · 2021Trial
- In Vivo Assessment of Antimicrobial Potential of Synthetic ANLP-V3 Peptide for the Treatment of Mastitis in a Mouse Model.Current microbiology · 2026Article
- Water-soluble swab material for environmental sampling.Applied and environmental microbiology · 2026Article
- Development of an HPV 16 rapid test founded in user-centered design with primary care clinicians.Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications · 2026Article
- Requirements and Study Designs for U.S. Regulatory Approval of Influenza Home Tests.Journal of clinical microbiology · 2022Review
- Passively sensing SARS-CoV-2 RNA in public transit buses.The Science of the total environment · 2022Article
- Article
- The Use of Flocked Swabs with a Protective Medium Increases the Recovery of Live Brucella spp. and DNA Detection.Microbiology spectrum · 2021Article
- Harmony COVID-19: A ready-to-use kit, low-cost detector, and smartphone app for point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.Science advances · 2021Article
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- Improved sensitivity, safety, and rapidity of COVID-19 tests by replacing viral storage solution with lysis buffer.PloS one · 2021Article
- Reducing False Negatives in COVID-19 Testing by Using Microneedle-Based Oropharyngeal Swabs.Matter · 2020Article
- The influence of a swab type on the results of point-of-care tests.AMB Express · 2020Article
- Understanding user requirements to improve adoption of influenza diagnostics in clinical care within Metro Manila.Health science reports · 2018Article
- Disposable Autonomous Device for Swab-to-Result Diagnosis of Influenza.Analytical chemistry · 2017Article
- A disposable chemical heater and dry enzyme preparation for lysis and extraction of DNA and RNA from microorganisms.Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications · 2016Article
- Precision chemical heating for diagnostic devices.Lab on a chip · 2015Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe global need for disease detection and control has increased effort to engineer point-of-care (POC) tests that are simple, robust, affordable, and non-instrumented. In many POC tests, sample collection involves swabbing the site (e.g., nose, skin), agitating the swab in a fluid to release the sample, and transferring the fluid to a device for analysis. Poor performance in sample transfer can reduce sensitivity and reproducibility.
methodsIn this study, we compared bacterial release efficiency of seven swab types using manual-agitation methods typical of POC devices. Transfer efficiency was measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Staphylococcus aureus under conditions representing a range of sampling scenarios: 1) spiking low-volume samples onto the swab, 2) submerging the swab in excess-volume samples, and 3) swabbing dried sample from a surface.
resultsExcess-volume samples gave the expected recovery for most swabs (based on tip fluid capacity); a polyurethane swab showed enhanced recovery, suggesting an ability to accumulate organisms during sampling. Dry samples led to recovery of ∼20-30% for all swabs tested, suggesting that swab structure and volume is less important when organisms are applied to the outer swab surface. Low-volume samples led to the widest range of transfer efficiencies between swab types. Rayon swabs (63 µL capacity) performed well for excess-volume samples, but showed poor recovery for low-volume samples. Nylon (100 µL) and polyester swabs (27 µL) showed intermediate recovery for low-volume and excess-volume samples. Polyurethane swabs (16 µL) showed excellent recovery for all sample types. This work demonstrates that swab transfer efficiency can be affected by swab material, structure, and fluid capacity and details of the sample. Results and quantitative analysis methods from this study will assist POC assay developers in selecting appropriate swab types and transfer methods.
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